Category Archives: Meetings

The AGM was held on Monday 15th October. The meeting received the President’s Report and the Annual Accounts. It also agreed to make some changes to the Association Constitution, removing references to the Newtown Festival (now that it has its own Newtown Festival Trust and isn’t organised by the Association), and also removing the requirement that future accounts be audited. Our accounts are very simple now, and auditing has become more complex!

This meeting was an update on local issues. Top of the agenda was a discussion of the Newtown Community Facilities Upgrade – there are options available for comment on the three spaces owned by WCC and operated by the Newtown Community and Cultural Centre Trust – Newtown Community and Cultural Centre in Rintoul St, Newtown Hall in Daniell St and Network Newtown in Constable St. Sketch plans are available at Kia Ora Newtown, NCCC and other local public spaces, & on the Community Centre Website. http://www.newtowncommunity.org.nz/our-town-newtown.html

We also talked about the new apartments being developed on the former Salvation Army site in Constable St, the Association submission on the WCC review of the Alcohol Control Bylaw, and other issues.

This meeting was held on the 20th August at the Newtown Hall. The main topic was a lengthy discussion with Greater Wellington Regional Councillors Daran Ponter, Ian McKinnon and Sue Kedgley about the changes to Wellington’s bus service.

We also had a presentation from Clara Choi, a 5th year landscape architecture student from Victoria University of Wellington, about her Masters thesis about creating inclusive spaces for multicultural society through community gardens in Newtown.

Parking Presentation. Ray Tuffin will give his Council Presentation at Kia Ora, Thursday 21st July 6pm.

The Architects for Our Town Newtown are WPS Opus. The first workshop to meet the architects and contribute to developing the brief is on Saturday 28th July – early afternoon at NCCC.

Newtown Community Garden at Carrara Park. Tim Tovey is going to be the on-going coordinator. Public Liability Insurance has been organised, shared between three organisations, with a Council grant expected to cover it.

The Postshop has closed and the first look at the agencies is not positive, signage is poor and there is no writing desk.

Jim Lewis from Council presented a preview of this issue. Formal consultation will be in September.

The Liquor Ban needs to be reviewed this year or it will lapse.

Moved Bernard O’shaughnessy/Sam Somers: That NRA supports the liquor ban, and supports further publicity and enforcement. Carried.

Newtown Connections – WCC Engagement.

Jess Ducey and Sam Wilkie from Council Networks Improvements Team talked about the information gathering process (the survey). The purpose is to develop a connected citywide cycle network so people of all ages and abilities can safely choose to make more trips by bike, but the survey questions cover all forms of transport.

The six week consultation closes on 17th July

When the engagement is completed the team will develop some options for cycleway routes, for further consultation.

A Review of the 1930’s Character Control on Buildings has been announced by WCC as part of the general District Plan review.

This has alarmed Balmoral Tce residents as Housing New Zealand has told residents that they are exploring options for developing their properties at 124,130 & 131 Coromandel Street and 9 Balmoral Tce. In the past HNZ were planning to demolish 9 Balmoral Tce, a restored pre-1930s home, and use the section to access a new development in Coromandel St. After protest this was averted but the concern is that this might be revisited. Coromandel St residents are concerned about an intensive development and resulting traffic.

Paul Eagle and Kylie Cox (from Paul’s office) invited the residents to pass the information on to them and they will liaise with HNZ about their plans. Accepted.

Recognising achievements in our community. The meeting passed motions of congratulation to recognise the achievements of three members of our community:

Newtown Architects and Association Members Anna Kemble Welch and Martin Hanley were awarded the Ath Cup at the New Zealand Institute of Architects Annual Awards on 3 May. This was in recognition of their special contribution to the urban fabric of Wellington: Newtown Festival, the Red Design southern suburbs cycleway project and their DEBRA NZ medical work were mentioned in the citation.

Bernard O’Shaughnessy was recognised for his success in convincing WCC to trial extending the Newtown Library open hours to 4pm Saturdays. Congratulations Bernard!

Newtown parking: Ray Tuffin (WCC Community Liaison Advisor) has made a presentation on the parking issues in Newtown for Council officers. Ray can present this for interested residents at Kia Ora Newtown, 6 Constable St . Update – this presentation will be on Thursday 21st June at 6pm. All welcome!

Potential Sale of Capital & Coast District Health Board (CCDHB)property: A Public Notice was issued May 17thand 24th in the Dominion Post regarding the potential sale of 2 and 2A Coromandel St. CCDHB are interested in the views of residents. The land is currently occupied by the Ewart building, the vacant but historic Parkview building, and the Menzshed and Southside Kids Childcare Centre. If CCDHB do proceed to declare these properties surplus they are required to follow their treaty obligations before offering them for sale. Do let us know your views about this proposal! Email us at newtownwellington@gmail.com.

Emergency Response Plan: Workshops are planned for July on emergency planning and the operation of the Newtown Emergency Hub at Newtown School. Rhona shared the “Local ideas and solutions for challenges you may face” segment of the Newtown Emergency Hub Guide. This needs some work still.

Shannon Friday from Wellington Timebank spoke about the Timebank role in emergencies. The Timebank is a Community organisation that arranges the exchange of skills and talent for time, rather than money. This helps build community resilience. They have an online database of skilled people and their tools, however this isn’t likely to be very accessible in an emergency, so a challenge is to link people personally as well asdigitally. Lessons learnt from Lyttelton following their earthquake were that unofficial networks like that fostered through Timebank are important for helping clean-ups and restoring services. The Cell Phone network comes back relatively quickly for phone calls and texting which facilitates coordination; provided you know who can do what.

Heritage week: the week ending 28 October. Ray Tuffin is coordinating plans for Newtown, and our Association will be involved in events. An exhibition is suggested for the pop-up shop, and there are plans for a heritage walk. Volunteers and those with other suggestions please email us at newtownwellington@gmail.com.

Street Cleaning: WCC is funding a worker, Paul, to clean road gutters and clear drains daily on week days. Attendees reported that he is doing an excellent job, really makes a difference.

Our Newtown Residents’ Association meeting on Monday 20th November will be a special general meeting, as foreshadowed at our regular meeting in October.

As usual the meeting will be at 7.30pm at the Newtown Hall.

The business will be –

– to present the Residents’ Association Finacial report, including the accounts.

– to progress the transfer of the Newtown Festival from the Association to the Newtown Festival Trust, and to officially approve the date of transfer.

We will also have some regular Association business.
– Ana Faatoia from WREMO will begin a conversation about updating the Emergency Response Plan for Newtown
-Ray Tuffin, the WCC Newtown Liaison Officer, will report on his activities, including a focus on parking in Newtown
– an update about cycleway consultation.

We are inviting you to meet the Southern Ward By-election Candidates. This Meeting is at St Anne’s Hall, Emmett St, at 7.30pm on Tuesday 14th November – the doors open at 7.10pm and the meeting will start promptly at 7.30.

These are the confirmed candidates –
Vicki Greco, Mohamud Mohamed, Don Newt McDonald, Laurie Foon, Fleur Fitzsimons, Rob Goulden, Thomas G P Morgan and Merio Marsters. They have all been invited, and we hope all will be there. Hear their reasons why you should vote for them, their responses to ‘hot topics’ and their answers to questions from the floor.

Supper is provided, so after hearing the formal presentations you can talk informally over a cuppa and a snack.

Wellington City Council have issued a public notice that they intend to go ahead with constructing the reservoir at Prince of Wales Park. We have decided to make a submission about this, in order to keep involved in the process. This will make similar points to our submission on the resource consent; this time the emphasis is on the earthworks. [Update – see the completed submission here.]

Liquor license applications, and similar issues.

Discussed an application to establish an off-licence called The Black Bull at 236 Riddiford Street – the current Silk Route Spices site on the corner of Gordon Place.

We are waiting for the next moves in the Zoo Bar licence application – our Association objected to the extended hours requested.

Newtown has a liquor ban in force but there aren’t many signs about the ban – we will ask Ray Tuffin (WCC Liaison Officer) to look into this.

The Security Guard at the Library has been keeping an eye on people drinking or causing concern around the Library and on the corner with Riddiford St – the meeting expressed our appreciation for this.

Workingmen’s Bowling Club

The WCC officers’ opinion is that the Club should not get a new lease because “the current circumstances of the club do not meet the Assessment Criteria” under the Town Belt Management Plan. We think that the Club is a valuable community resource, and want to support them to increase their community connections.

The Club had a very successful open day on Sunday 15th October, which increased membership significantly. They have a lot of community support.

[Update – after a constructive discussion with the Council on 24/11, the lease will now continue through until at least April next year to enable everyone to understand the issues around the future of the Club.]

Meet the Candidates Evening

We will proceed with planning for a Meet the Candidates Meeting for the Southern Ward By-Election

A “Thank You” to Paul Eagle

Discussion of the By-Election prompted expressions of appreciation for the work Paul Eagle did in representing Newtown on Council. A motion thanking Paul for his contribution and welcoming him as our new MP was passed unanimously and enthusiastically.

Neighbours Day 2018

It is time to apply for a WCC grant if we want to have a Neighbours’ Day function. Last year we provided an evening of activities in Newtown Park. We agreed to plan to repeat this next year.

Parking

Car parking in Newtown is already very difficult and is going to get worse next year. The new children’s hospital will take away a lot of hospital parking – and hospital staff parking on surrounding streets is already causing major problems.

Ray Tuffin at Kia Ora gets numerous complaints about parking issues, and is initiating a major project exploring parking options.

Next month’s meeting is on Monday 20th November. We expect to designate this a Special General Meeting, and to present the Annual Accounts.

The success of the Newtown Festival and establishing the Newtown Festival Trust

Publishing the Wellington South Licensing Trust History

City Council relationships- particularly Ray Tuffin’s appointment

Newtown Neighbours Night on 24th February was very successful

Submissions were made on the Wellington City Council Annual Plan, the WCC Playspaces Policy, the Wellington Region Waste Management and Minimisation Plan and the Wellington Water application to WCC for Town Belt Easement for the construction and operation of the Prince of Wales/ Omāroro Reservoir. Also to the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, who were consulting on an Urban Development Authorities Discussion Document

Our Town Newtown is in the stage of analysing data gathered

Keep Newtown Clean is continuing on a quarterly basis

Newtown Community Garden group has been revived

Repurposing the Caltex site for use by Mechanical Tempest, Rebicycle and the Dance-o-Mat looks very promising – congratulations to the owners, the WCC, the community groups and Newtown Festival for the work in coordinating this.

Our Meet the Candidates meeting for the Rongotai Electorate went well, with record attendance. Thanks are due to the MC Patrick Morgan, and all who helped with organising the meeting.

Financial Report
The audited accounts are not yet available, due to needing to change the auditor unexpectedly. We resolved to present them at a later meeting. There is no need for concern; the finances are in good shape with reserves in the bank.

Newtown Festival Trust
For the past 23 years the Newtown Festival has been hosted by the Newtown Residents’ Association through the Festival Committee. For some years the Association has wanted to form a Festival Trust, and now it has happened. James Coyle and Anna Kemble Welch are the two founding Trustees, and shortly they will be joined by three, or probably four, others. At this meeting the members present passed the necessary motions to hand over responsibility for the Festival from the Association to the Trust, and this will come fully into effect when the other Trustees have been appointed. The Newtown Festival Committee will continue on, but from then on will report to the Trust. We passed a motion of thanks to Martin Hanley, the Festival Director, for the enormous amount of work involved in negotiating the Trust. Thanks are also due to the law firm Chapman Tripp, who provided all the legal work pro-bono. They have been extremely helpful.

Elections – Newtown Residents’ Association Executive 2017-2018
The nominees were all elected unopposed.

President: Rhona Carson

Secretary: No nominations. Rhona Carson will continue in the meantime.

Rhona thanked Steve Dunn, who stood down from the Executive this year. Steve is a past President and has worked extremely hard for the Association. Recently he brought a long standing project to a successful conclusion by coordinating the publication of the History of the Wellington South Licensing Trust.

This meeting is when we elect the Association Officers and other Executive members for 2017-2018, discuss the year’s activities and plan for the future. We would like to hear from people interested in joining the Executive. The President (Rhona Carson) and Treasurer (Jane Patterson) are standing for re-election, but we haven’t had any nominations yet for Secretary, so if you might be interested and your skills lend themselves to writing items for our Newsletter and this Website and similar tasks do get in touch to have a chat about it!

Nominees and nominators for the Executive need to be financial members of the Association, if you haven’t paid your subscription yet you can join at the start of the meeting.

The other main business for the 2017 AGM is the handover of responsibility for the Newtown Festival to the Newtown Festival Trust. The Trust has been established and has been accepted by Charities Services as a Charitable Trust. Resolutions approving the handover will be voted on at the meeting.

The Residents’ Association meeting on 21st August included the following:

Predator Free Mt Cook Newtown

Recently granted funding means they can build and circulate more traps. Contact them (mailto:predatorfreemcn@gmail.com) to either pick up a free trap, or buy a ‘fancy’ trap at a discounted price. There are currently 80 traps in Newtown, and more than 300 rats have been caught, but more are needed for good coverage. Sponsors are Kiwibank (funding – National Predator-Free trust), Forest and Bird have loaned traps, Placemakers Kilbirnie have donated wood. Volunteers are needed for building traps – working bee at 40A Wright Street, Mt Cook 1:00pm – 5:00pm Sunday 3 September.

It would be good to hear from anyone able and willing to coordinate extending the Predator Free project to Berhampore.

An update about the Our Town Newtown Project
The Saturday 19th August ‘Shine a light on Newtown’ event had smallish attendance but achieved a good deal in sorting through ideas which have been put forward.

We are holding a Meet the Candidates Meeting for the Rongotai Electorate on Tuesday September 5th at St Anne’s Hall, Emmett St, Newtown. The doors open at 7.10pm, and the meeting will start promptly at 7.30pm. Patrick Morgan will be in the chair. The formal presentations, questions and answers will be followed by supper and time for informal chats – we do a good supper!

Election Day is Saturday September 23rd, but advance voting opens on Monday September 11th and you can vote from then on. Come along the week before and hear what the candidates for our electorate have to say.

Are you enrolled to vote? If not, you can do this any time up until September 22nd – find out how here. There are more then 5500 people of voting age in our electorate who aren’t enrolled – if you are one of them, now’s your chance to change that and to make this the election when you have your say!

Association Membership The financial year runs from July 1st to June 30th, so memberships need renewing now. Everyone is welcome to come to meetings – members and non-members. The difference is that members can vote and can stand for office at the AGM. It is also a great way of showing support for the work of the Association. The fee is still a gold coin, which can be paid at any Association meeting (the next meeting is on August 21st). Email us if you would like to join but can’t get to the meeting.

Progress on Newtown Festival Trust Forming a Trust to run the Festival has been under discussion for several years, and the Association passed a motion in February asking for this to be expedited. The Newtown Festival Trust has now been established, with Anna Kemble Welch and James Coyle as foundation trustees. The intention is to bring three more trustees on board in the near future, and we are very pleased that Ian McKinnon has agreed to be one of these three. An application for charitable status has been lodged with Charities Services. When all five trustees have been appointed and Charitable Status has been granted the Newtown Residents’ Association will be asked to pass a resolution to hand over responsibility for the Newtown Festival to the Trust. We are very grateful to the lawyers, Chapman Tripp, who have been advising us and doing the necessary legal work on a ‘pro bono’ basis.

Cycling in Newtown Patrick Morgan reported that cycle ways through Newtown are about to be discussed again. Watch for Council engagement opportunities. [Since the meeting it has been announced that there will be opportunities to discus this with the WCC team at the Newtown Market at Newtown School on Saturday 29th July, 8am-12 noon, and at St Annes Hall on Tuesday August 1st 4pm-7pm. See more at http://transportprojects.org.nz]

Carrara Park gardens Lachie (Lachlan Marshall, the local Salvation Army officer) outlined how he and some Church associates became involved with maintaining the Park. They have been there every Tuesday morning since 6 May. He has been consulting with Linnéa Lindstroem, who was one of the founders of the Newtown Community Gardens group, Martin Hanley and Rhona Carson and others from the Association – our Association holds the lease to use the garden beds. Linnéa is willing and able to coordinate revitalising the Community Gardens, and there are ideas for raised garden beds (part of the original plans), and ideas for composting. A Council grant will fund materials for the garden beds. Ray Tuffin (WCC Liaison Officer) has had inquiries from childcare centres and older people for garden spaces to maintain.

General Election: Meet the Candidates Meeting Our Residents Association has traditionally hosted these meetings before elections, and would like to do so again. Voting opens on Monday September 11th and it is proposed to hold the meeting during the week before. Patrick has offered to chair the meeting again, and the offer was accepted with acclamation. [It has now been confirmed that the meeting will be on Tuesday September 5th, 7.30pm at St Anne’s Hall, Emmett St.]

Matariki event in Carrara Park – Saturday 29 July The Russian Orthodox Community are hosting this event, and have been consulting the Newtown Festival Office about logistics. People from a local Kohanga Reo have also been involved in the planning.

Residents parking on Constable Street A Constable St resident introduced this topic, outlining the extreme pressure on parking in this area. WCC have been approached about the possibility of Residents Parking – if this was implemented it would only be possible on one side of the street. The situation in Colombo St, where there is residents parking combined with time limited parking for non-residents, was described – this has been very successful. The discussion covered parking issues in Newtown generally, including the continuing concerns about how the proposed Mary Potter apartments might increase parking demand.

Cleaning up the Town Belt vegetation One of our members noted the amount of introduced weeds on parts of the Town Belt and asked if there would be interest in a working bee to remove them. It was noted that they would need to be replaced with suitable planting. We would need to consult with WCC, but it was thought that a working bee could be possible if this was approved.

Next meetingMonday August 21st, 7.30pm at the Newtown Hall, 71 Daniell St. Please email if you have suggestions of items for the agenda.

Future bus services.
Daran Ponter, from the Greater Wellington Regional Council, was the guest speaker, telling us about the new bus services which will be operating from 2018. Full details of all changes and affected routes can be found here, or pick up a brochure about Newtown services from Kia Ora Newtown. The aim is to increase capacity without putting more buses onto congested roads. The changes will involve higher capacity buses and simplified routes. The ‘spoke and hub’ model that was originally proposed has been modified, and the routes are now much more straightforward. Good news for University students is that their voices have been heard and the number 18 service will be retained at peak hours.
People at the meeting asked about the decision to replace the trolley buses before the promised electric buses are available. Daran explained the decision for replacement was made in 2015. It wasn’t unanimous but the majority ruled. The work has already been delayed, and it isn’t practical to keep putting it off.
There was also interest in the prospects for light rail, and Daran confirmed that ‘Let’s get Welly moving’ has reinvigorated the discussion.

Submission on the Prince of Wales/Omāroro Reservoir
The submission is due on 17th July. We discussed that the Association would make a submission that recognises the need for an emergency water supply. However the construction will have a significant impact on local residents, and we agreed that our submission will emphasise the need for mitigation of the effects of this, and also the need to protect the environment, in particular the Waitangi Stream tributary and the Papawai stream.